Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-08
rAuLrroUNo WITH rwo CLAUSES.
The Chamber Of Commsres Diseusses
the Interstate Commerce Biii.
Nav York sanI

Quite ss important meeting a. the
Chamber OF Commerce has had In some
time was that Of yesterday afternoon, when
President james NJ. Brown informed
hundred and odd members before him that
they were there TO listen to an analysis OF
the Interstate commerce bill. Mr.. Elisha
Smith, president OF the Liverpool Chamber
of Commerce, sat beside Mr.. Brown. The
ANALYSIS and accompanying report had been
prepared BY Messrs. Charlcs'S. Smith, Cor
nelius ". Bliss, and A. Foster Higgins, APP
pointed at former meeting as committee
for that purpose.
The committees analysis OF the bill was
concise and clear and as already under
stood. The committees report was fayora-
bic TO the bin except TO the clause prohibit
ing greater charges for the shorter than The
lenger bauls, aud also to the clause which
contains an absolute provision against pool
ing. The committee thinks the clause pro-
hibiliug greater charges for the shorter
than the longer hauls would be harmful 10
the public welfare. They say:
"Local rates would not be thereby re-
ductd, but Through traffic. which. on
the average, furnishes not TO exceed one
quarter OF the revenues OF the trunk lines,
would he either refused or raised to a
standard OF local rates-thus obstructlng
and materially decreasing the moving and
expectation OF cotton, grain, petroleum,
md other products. II local rate Is I'M
lust IL must be remedied, but the considera-
ton thereof must depend upon the particu-
lar surroundings and circumstances OF that
individual case, and not upon that OF others
further on the line who may have COM
peting roads, water transportation, and
many other things affecting rates OF freight
not at all applicable TO the ease in question.
One immediate aud inevitable effect OF such
prohibition would be TO divert most i'm.
portant volumes OF freight to competing
Canadian roads running to the seaboard."
The committee thinks th,t the absolute
prohibition against pooling Is unwise, be-
cause, in their opinion:
"Most, il not all, OF the evil: OF unequal
rates, determinations, and Partially have
arisen from unrestricted competition, the
only result aimed at by the proposed pro.
bibition; while a uniform tariff between all
competing lines, arranged upon plans OF
equity to all shippers, and enforced by an
agreed volume OF tonnage apportioned to
each road, Is the very end TO be accom-
plisbed by the bill itself, aud this is "p)ol-
irg." In general the system seems to have
been productive OF good to the public, aud
in many instances where injustice has arisen
it has been from lack OF good faith to keep
its conditions on the part OF the common
carrier; while, on the other hand, Its ten
doncy has been to avoid disastrous railroad
wars, entail.ng upon the investors serious
loss and always productive Of disastrous
effects upon the laboring classes and the
commerce OF the country"
The committee hoped that the two clauses
would be referred to the commission to be
established by the bill. The members OF
the Chamber accepted the report and passed
this resolution regarding the commission
eIs TO be created by the bill:
"That as the commissioners under the
| proposed law will be charged with im'
| portant and intricate business duties, they
should, as far as the political and uon'plr.
| tisan considerations mentioned IN the bill
| will admit, be selected with reference TO
their experience and knowledge OF the
| business interests Of the country, and that
the agricultural. commercial. aud railroad
interests should all be represented upon
| such a commission"
Therefore, there ought TO be more than
five. The South would be entitled to three
out OF nine, but not to two out OF five
and could scarcely complain II she got only
one out OF the five.